Powell

THE GRIEF AND ECSTASY OF 2ND LT POWELL'S CAPTURE

Prior to his service in World War II, George was a First Lieutenant in the Indiana National Guard, Battery "D", 139th Field Artillery.
On 22 September 1942, he was listed in the Princeton Daily Clarion as one of many men who had passed their induction physical. Unlike the others, he was shown as a "volunteer officer candidate."
He subsequently was commissioned in the Reserve Army and his personal trek, even though not a 508er, was an emotional one for his family. Since he played a role in the DeVay investigation, his details are presented here.

Also Given Promotion
    Second Lieutenant George Powell, former Princeton railway express employee, now serving a year of active army duty with Battery "D," 139th Field Artillery at Camp Shelby, Miss., has been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant according to orders published last week by the U. S. War Department.
   Lieutenant Powell's rise from the ranks has been rapid. In 1938 he enlisted in Battery 'D," then stationed at Princeton. He became battery clerk, and in January, 1941, lust before entering the active service, he was commissioned second lieutenant.
   Prior to this time he had served on maneuvers at Ft. Knox, Ky., Ft. Benjamin Harrison. Ind., and Wyeville, Wis.
   His present duties in Battery 'D" are those ordinarily assigned to two officers. He is serving as both motor officer and reconnaissance officer.
   As a relatively new officer. Lieutenant Powell is highly impressed with the thoroughness of the intensive training program that he, and other soldiers from Princeton, are carrying out at the present time.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 21 Apr 1941, Mon, Page 1]

Marriage Licenses
Norma Jean Kimbrough. 18, Princeton, to George Powell, 19, Princeton, carman apprentice ...

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 2 Mar 1942, Mon, Page 2]

Lieut. George Powell Is
Killed In Action
   Mrs. Norma Jean Powell, south Main street, this city, received a telegram Monday night from the War Department. stating that her husband, Second Lieutenant George B. Powell, 22, was killed in action in France on July 18.
   Lt. Powell, son of Mr. and Mrs. George II. Powell, this city, was a member of the field artillery of an armored division and had been overseas since December, 1943.
Prior to receiving his commission as second lieutenant May 6, 1943, at Fort Sill, Okla., he was a member of Battery D, 139th F. A., local unit of the Indiana National Guard and went with the unit in 1941 to Camp Shelby, Miss.
   Before going overseas, he was stationed at Camp Roberts, Calif., Needles, Calif., and Camp Bowie, Tex. Lt. Powell, a graduate of the Princeton high school in 1939, was born January 15, 1922, at Uniontown, Ky., but had spent the greater part of his life in Princeton.
   He is survived by the widow. his parents, one brother, James Powell, Princeton, and a niece, Georgette Jean Powell.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 2 Aug 1944, Tue, Page 1]

Dispatches Report
Lt. Powell Prisoner
It has been reported in dispatches that Lt, George B. Powell, son of Mr., and Mrs., George Powell, this city, is a German prisoner, but relatives here have received no official word to this effect. Lt. Powell was previously reported killed in action in France.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 28 Aug 1944, Mon, Page 1]

Report Hearing
Lt. George Powell
In Broadcast
   Mrs. Norma Jean Powell, 602 south Main street, received the following telegram this morning from the war department: "Following enemy propaganda broadcast from Germany has been intercepted, 'I am well, my address is Oflag. 61 Germany, George B. Powell. Lt. 0-1181734, prisoner of war 85032.' Pending further confirmation this report does not establish his status as a prisoner of war. Additional information received will be furnished. Signed, Lerch, Provost Marshal General."
   Mrs. Powell received a message the latter part of July from the war department, stating that her husband had been killed in action in France, July 18.
   This morning, she also received two cards written by people of Amsterdam, N. Y., stating that they had also heard the shortwave broadcast and sent on to Mrs. Powell the same message as above. An independent shortwave monitor, Sanford Lowe, in New York, also sent Mrs. Powell word that he, too, had received the message. Lt. Powell was to have been on the broadcast Monday, Nov. 6.
. A Purple Heart awarded to Lt. Powell was received by his wife last week.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 08 Nov 1944, Wed, Page 5]

Receives Card From
Lt. George Powell
Mrs. George B. Powell, 602 south Main street, this city, this morning received a form card from her husband, Second Lieutenant Powell, who was previously indicated to be a German prisoner of war. The card, the front of which bears various German names and stating that Lieut. Powell was a prisoner of war and well, bears his signature and the date August 21, 1944.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 13 Nov 1944, Mon, Page 1]

Lt. George B. Powell
Is War Prisoner
Lt. George B. Powell, of Princeton, reported killed in action July 18, is a prisoner of war of the German government. An official telegram received by his wife, Mrs. Norma J. Powell, from the war department, stated that this fact has been definitely established through the International Red Cross. The telegram stated that a letter giving further information would follow.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 18 Nov 1944, Thu, Page 1]

Lt. George B. Powell
Freed From Prison
   Mrs. George B. Powell, Princeton, received a telegram from the War Department yesterday morning informing her that her husband, Second Lieutenant George B. Powell, 23, has been returned to military control.
   Previously reported killed in action on July 18, 1944, in France, Mrs. Powell received official word in November that her husband was a prisoner of war in Germany. Lt. Powell broadcast over a short wave radio set on November 6.
   In the Field Artillery, Lt. Powell went into the service September 21, 1942, and was sent overseas in December, 1943. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Powell, Mulberry and Stout streets.
   Another son, Pvt. James II. Powell, is a radio operator with an Infantry unit now in Okinawa. The last letter his parents received from him was dated May 5.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 26 May 1945, Sat, Page 1]

Lt. George Powell Arrives Home
Second Lt, George Powell arrived home last night from Camp Atterbury, Ind,, where he had been, for one day. He was a German prisoner of war for a year. Lt. Powell's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Powell, Sr., live at Mulberry and Stout streets. His wife also resides in Princeton.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 06 Jun 1945, Wed, Page 1]

ASSIGNED AS AIDE
   FORT SILL. Okla.. July 19 --- First Lieutenant George B. Powell, of Princeton, Indiana, has been assigned as Aide-de-Camp to Major General Clift Andrus, commandant of the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill.
   Lt. Powell is a veteran of the European Campaign, having served with the 4th Armored "Breakthrough" division during the battles of Normandy and Central Europe. He wears the Purple Heart medal with cluster in lieu of a second award. He was a prisoner of war for ten months of his overseas service.
Receiving his commission upon graduation from the Field Artillery Officers' Candidate School at Fort Sill in May 1943, Lt. Powell has since completed the Officers' Special Basic course, also at the Field Artillery School.
   Lt. and Mrs. Powell reside at 1912 Sycamore street in Lawton, Oklahoma. Lt. Powell's and Mrs. Powell's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Powell and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kimbrough reside in Princeton.

[Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN, 19 Jul 1946, Fri, Page 4]

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